I converted a 1991 Toyota Camry Wagon with a 2.0 litre engine.

The conversion cost was $3000 + I paid an extra $250 for automatic valve lubrication device, new ‘LPG specific’ leads and distributer cap. I also paid the extra $200 for the donut tank to fit invisibly in my spare tire recess which was optional.

Total cost including labour = $3250.00

Minus $2000 rebate from Australian Government = $1250.00 all up out of my pocket.

Here’s the fuel comparison with my car:

Petrol

53.3 litres = 480 km = 9 kilometres per litre

@ $1.20 per litre = price at the pump today = $13.35 per 100km

or $0.13 per kilometre

———————-

LPG

41.28 litres = 322.5 km = 7.81 kilometres per litre

@ $0.52 per litre = price at the pump today = $6.65 per 100km

or $0.07 per kilometre

———————

If these fuel prices were to remain consistent (not likely) then I’d only need to drive 18,657 kilometres before the conversion pays for itself. After that it works out to be nearly 1/2 price fuel cost for the rest of the life of the car.

The car originally cost me $4200 with less than 120,000 k’s on the odometer. If the car only goes another 81,343 kilometres then the fuel savings alone will pay for the cost of the car + LPG conversion. (Not considering the trade-in value of the car which is at least $100 for the scrap metal in a worst case scenario.)

Does LPG conversion sound like a pretty sensible thing to do?

Ys, Ekendra dasa

(Here’s an article from The Age for further reading.)